Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Interview with Sandra Benbeniste

Three Months Devoted to Water

Sandra Benbeniste, Spanish water activist, is at the CSD on behalf of both her organization Ecology and Development as well as the water Expo Zaragoza 2008. Discussing issues related to the CSD process, Benbeniste is eager to ensure the outcome of the Spanish Expo will be integrated into the broader global processes on water, sanitation and sustainable development, such as the next CSD 17. Though quite simple in composition, the Expo may seem confusing at first encounter. Thankfully, Sandra is here to make sense of it all…:

By: Sasha Radyuk, ANPED

What is El Faro?

‘El Faro’ (‘The Lighthouse’) is the building housing NGOs at the next Expo Zaragoza 2008, but it is also the network of more than 220 organizations working with this year’s topic of water and sustainable development. This network has emerged through this process over the past three years, integrating NGOs and other citizen initiatives addressing the issues of water and sustainable development, both from an environmental point of view and a social point of view.

The pavilion itself is a ‘sustainable’ building. It is constructed of straw, wood, and clay and its shape is based on a traditional ceramic pitcher. The design and the materials used in construction reduce the need for air conditioning.

One part of the building is devoted to an integrated multimedia exhibition in which the NGOs join forces to denounce bad water and sanitation practices and point out specific examples that showcase good practices. The center of the building is the ‘encounter space’, where for the duration of the three months, roundtables, performances, and videos will be presented daily by NGOs.

What is the Expo Zaragoza 2008?

The Expo is an international three month long event, lasting from 14 June - 14 September, where more than 110 countries are presenting their main innovations, both technical and social, this year related exclusively to water and sustainable development.

For many years, International Expos have been events open solely to states and this is only the second time (the first time was in 2005, in Japan) that NGOs have our own pavilion. This is especially significant because we are allowed to be independent to exhibit and present topics that may prove controversial, but are extremely relevant.

It is also an opportunity for our movements to interact with representatives of the government who will be sharing the grounds with us. This will be a good time for us to lobby for important issues and communicate civilian concerns.

So is it all serious discussion…?

Well, yes there will be a lot of serious debate. However, branded by the Expo as ‘La Fiesta del Agua’, there are a number of concerts and other performances planned for every night, such as the Cirque de Soleil and artists like Gilberto Gil and Bob Dylan. The message is very much saving the world and having some fun while doing it.

Who are the members of El Faro?

We are among the 220 organizations participating and we have organized ourselves by putting together a Council and a Permanent Commission. The latter consists of Intermon Oxfam, Red Cross, New Culture of Water, Engineers without Borders, Sustain Labour International, WWF-Adena and Ecology and Development, which acts as the Secretariat. In addition to these organizations, we have representation from the five continents. All NGOs working on water and sustainable development issues are welcome to attend, participate, and join our network.

What issues will El Faro cover?

The issues to be covered are:

• The basic human right to a clean drinking water supply and sanitation
  
• Degradation of aquatic systems
  
• Climate change
  
• Disaster risk management
  
• Large dams
  
• Public water management
  
• Uses and abuses
  
• Conflicts caused by water

We will be featuring street theatre every day inside and outside of the pavilion that will bring attention to the issues that we are addressing.

We will also be working with the local and national media. We are using our network to amplify the issues being discussed and spread them worldwide.

What are El Faro’s plans for the future?

We want to integrate the legacy of these three months of debate into international processes and strategies on related topics that are taking place locally, nationally and globally.